Criminal records in Autauga County, Alabama, are maintained across several agencies and court systems. AutaugaCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Autauga County courts within the 19th Judicial Circuit, the Circuit Clerk's Office, law enforcement agencies, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's criminal history repository. Records may be searched online, in person at the courthouse in Prattville, or by written request.
How to Search Criminal Records in Autauga
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Autauga County. What you need to begin depends on the method, but you should have at least one of the following:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- UTC ticket number (for traffic-related matters)
Search Through AutaugaCourt.us
Start at AutaugaCourt.us to search for publicly available criminal court record information from Autauga County. You can search by name or case number to locate case details, charges, and court dates.
Online — State and County Portals
- Alacourt.com — The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides on-demand access to state trial court records, including criminal cases filed in Autauga County's Circuit and District Courts. A subscription or per-search fee applies.
- Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal — If a criminal case has been appealed, docket information is available through the Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal. Document access requires registration.
- Alabama Traffic Service Center — Autauga County participates in the Online Traffic Resolution (OTR) system. You can look up traffic citations using the defendant's name, UTC ticket number, and county.
- Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search — To check whether someone is currently incarcerated in a state facility, use the ADOC Inmate Search. This database covers only current inmates; historical records are not available online.
- Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles — The Bureau of Pardons and Paroles provides information on parole supervision and pardon applications.
In Person
Visit the Autauga County Courthouse in Prattville to search records at the Circuit Clerk's Office. Criminal cases heard in Circuit Court (felonies and appeals) and District Court (misdemeanors, preliminary hearings) are maintained there. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups. For municipal-level offenses in Prattville, contact the Prattville Municipal Court.
Autauga County Circuit Clerk's Office
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for court records to the Circuit Clerk's Office at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and any case numbers. For a statewide criminal history report, submit a request to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Records Identification Unit, which maintains fingerprint-based criminal history files for all arrested offenders in Alabama.
Search Autauga Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Alabama case numbers follow a standardized format that encodes key information about the case:
- County code — Autauga County is designated as 04.
- Court division — A two-letter prefix indicates the court type. Common criminal prefixes include CC (Circuit Criminal) and DC (District Criminal).
- Year — A two-digit year indicates when the case was filed.
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned to the case within that division and year.
For example, a case number like 04-CC-2024-000123 would indicate a Circuit Criminal case filed in Autauga County in 2024. Enter the full case number into the Alacourt system or provide it to the Circuit Clerk's Office for the fastest results. Traffic cases use a UTC (Uniform Traffic Citation) number, which can be looked up through the Alabama Traffic Service Center.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Autauga
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Alabama Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 13A-6-2 for murder) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A, B, or C), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or violation/infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or at the court's discretion |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further action.
- Active — Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial dates are scheduled.
- Disposed — The case has reached a resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All obligations have been satisfied, including any sentences, fines, or probation terms.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A District Court judge determines whether probable cause exists to bind the case over to Circuit Court (felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss potential plea agreements, motions, and trial preparation.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury. The 19th Judicial Circuit schedules at least seventeen weeks of jury trials each year.
- Sentencing — After a guilty verdict or plea, the judge imposes a sentence.
- Review hearing — A follow-up hearing to monitor probation compliance or other court-ordered conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The court or prosecution dropped the charges |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecution chose not to pursue the case further |
| Withheld judgment | The court deferred a finding, often tied to completion of conditions |
| Acquitted | A formal finding of not guilty, typically after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Autauga
County Court Records
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the Autauga County Circuit Clerk's Office. You can request them in person or by mail.
What to include in your request:
- Defendant's full name
- Case number (if available)
- Specific documents needed (e.g., disposition, judgment, case action summary)
- A valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person
- Payment for applicable fees
Autauga County Circuit Clerk's Office
State Criminal History Reports
For a comprehensive criminal history background check, contact the ALEA Criminal Records Identification Unit. Requests require a completed application and fingerprint submission. This is typically used for employment screening, licensing, or personal review of your own record.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Criminal Records
Municipal Records
For records from cases handled by the Prattville Municipal Court, contact that court directly. Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors within their jurisdiction.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Autauga
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Standard rate under Alabama law (§ 12-19-310) |
| Certified copy of court document | $1.00 per page plus certification fee | Certification fee is typically $5.00; confirm with the Clerk's Office |
| ALEA state criminal history check (name-based) | $25.00 | Submitted to ALEA; processing may take several weeks |
| ALEA fingerprint-based background check | $39.50 | Includes FBI check; required for many licensing and employment purposes |
| Alacourt.com online record access | Varies (subscription or per-search) | Managed by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Circuit Clerk's Office are often fulfilled the same day for records that are readily available.
- Mail requests to the Clerk's Office typically take 5–10 business days, depending on volume.
- ALEA criminal history reports can take 2–6 weeks for name-based checks. Fingerprint-based checks may take longer if FBI processing is involved.
- Online searches through Alacourt.com return results immediately for records in the system.
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Autauga County Circuit Clerk's Office or ALEA directly to confirm current amounts before submitting a request. Payment methods accepted may vary by office — ask in advance whether they take cash, check, money order, or credit card.